Beginning with the accession of Augustus, this survey follows the triumphs, failures, and ultimate decline of the Roman Empire through the lives of its emperors. Bolstered by more than 150 color photos of Roman art, monuments, and jewelry, more than 500 years of Roman history is profiled here, including the defeat in Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD, the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD, the construction of Hadrian's Wall in the 2nd century, the conversion of Constantine in the early 4th century, and the sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410. This comprehensive study is punctuated by insightful profiles of some of Rome’s most iconic leaders—Augustus, Claudius, Nero, Marcus Aurelius, and Commodus—and includes a wealth of fact boxes, timelines, and quotations to help explain various aspects of Roman culture.